Method and apparatus for making cigar fillers



F. H. B. STELZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKINQ CIGAR FILLERS Filed Dec. 24, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 5, 1934-. F H. B STELZER 1,979,648

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CIGAR FILLERS Filed Dec. 24, 1931 4 SheetsSheet 2 fifir Nov. 6, 1934. F. H. a. STELZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CIGAR FILLERS Filed Dec. 24. 1931' 4 Sheets-Sheet s F. H. B. STELZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING CIGAR FILLERS Filed Dec. 24, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mll Ila/4% I I Q IIIIIIII'IIIIIIIMZJ- Fatented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES eads METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARIN CIGAR FILLERS Franz Heinrich Benno Stelzer, Dresden, Germany,

assignor to "Universelle Cigarettenmaschinen Fabrik J. C. Muller & 00., Dresden, Germany Application December 24, 1931, Serial No. 583,095

In Germany January 17, 1931 30 Claims.

This invention relates to the making of cigar fillers in which the tobacco forming the filler has the strips of tobacco disposed relatively parallel to one another.

In the making of a cigar filler the tobacco for the filler is first placed in a channel and is then pressed together, generally by means of a horizontal shaping die, and then molded into the desired shape by a second vertical reciprocating shaping die.

It has been proposed to impart an agitating or jogging motion to the shaping die itself during its working stroke in the form of a rapid reciprocation of such die in the direction of pressure in order to secure the requisite arrangement of the I filler tobacco, especially when such tobacco consists of .coarsely cut or torn tobacco in which the individual strips are relatively wide, but it has been found that such anapparatus would not secure the requisite uniformity of directionof the tobacco strips.

It is an object of the present invention to obtain the desired uniformity of direction of the tobacco strips by subjecting the filler tobacco to a special jogging or agitation before the pressing and molding operation, and also independent of the movements of the shaping dies.

It is anobject of the present invention to per form this jogging or agitation step in the filler v shaping channel itself or outside of the filler shaping channel.

An obiect of the invention also is to dispose the tobacco for the-filler between the shaping die and agitating or jogging surface disposed transversely to the direction of pressure exerted by the shaping die or plunger. The a itating surface is preferably arranged in the filler channel in spaced relation to the front wall of the pressing plunger or die and is so disposed as to permit the reciproca-- tion of the die or plunger.

A further object of a rotatably mounted agitating device extending downwardly into the filler channel and means for rapidly agitating or jogging the agitator.

However, it is a further object of the invention to provide means whereby the tobacco for the filler may be shaken or agitated into parallel relation above the shaping or filler channel itself in-a container, which containeris movably supported, and to provide means whereby the'filler tobacco may be dropped or placed in front of' the shaping plunger or die. 3

A still further object of the invention is to utilize the time during which'the shaping dies are operating for agitating and jogging the tobacco the invention is to provide filler to arrange the individual strips thereof in the desired manner.

An important object of the invention is to speed up operation of an apparatus of the type described.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a fixed container or chamber positioned over the shaping channel in which the proper distribution of the strips of tobacco for the filler is accomplished and to provide means cooperating with the shaping die or plunger for securing the positioning of the tobacco in such container in front of the shaping die or plunger.

With these and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the combination of parts and arrangement of elements set forth in detail below, claimed in the claims, and shown in the drawings,

,in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a shaping apparatus with certain parts in elevation,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the shaping channel with the shaping plunger or die in its end position,

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the shaping channel at the moment of discharge therefrom of the tobacco filler,

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectionof a modified form of the invention in which a fixed 35 tobacco filler container is provided above the shaping die in which the agitation and jogging of the tobacco takes place,

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the shaping channel of the modification shown in Figure 4 at the moment when the formed tobacco filler is discharged therefrom,

Figure 6 is a vertical partial longitudinal section of another modification in which a movable container is provided for the tobacco filler, and

Figure '7 is a partial vertical longitudinal section of the modification shown in Figure 6 with the parts thereof in another operating position.

. In the drawings like reference characters refer to like elements throughout the various views.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the shaping channel for the tobacco filler is formed by the two side walls 1, front wall 2 and the slidable bottom 3. The bottom 3 reciprocates and rests upon the slide guide .4. An apertured lug 6 is provided upon the bottom 3 upon the under side thereof and extends through a slot 5 in the guide 4. The link 7 is connectedto the lug 6 which is in turn con-' nected to a control lever 8'which is pivoted at 9 and carries at the other end thereof a roller engaging in a cam groove 11 upon the side of the to the thrust rod 17 which at its other end is pivotally connected to the molding or shaping plunger or die 18 reciprocating in the channel. The cam groove 13 is so shaped that the plunger 18 will execute a uniform reciprocating motion during the reciprocation thereof.

A feed hopper for the tobacco T is shown at 19 and this hopper brings the tobacco into a position in front of the plunger 18 in the channel when the plunger 18 is at the end of its stroke. An agitating flap 20 has the hub 21 thereof supported on a rotatable axis 22 and this agitator is located in the channel in front of the plunger 18 as shown. A lever 23 is fixed to the hub 21 at one end and the free end thereof is connected to a spring '24 which resiliently urges the lever 23 and holds the same against the roller 26 upon the cam member 25. The cam is fixed to the cam shaft 27 which is rotated from the rotating shaft 29 by means of the belt 28. The shaft 29 is rotated from the drive shaft 30 .of the apparatus by the engagement of the gear teeth upon the cam disk 12 with the gear teeth of the gear 31 attached to the shaft 2'7. It will be noted that due to the relative size of the gears a very vigorous agitation is imparted to the agitator 20 during each reciprocation of the plunger 18 which will tend to arrange the individual strips of the tobacco in the channel.

Upon the forward movement of the plunger 18 due to the assembly of the agitator 20 and its cooperating mechanism, the plunger 18 will raise the agitator 20 as shown particularly in Figure 2. The agitator 20 is also constructed of such length with relation to the end position of the plunger 18 that the agitator 20 will be retained in raised position by the top surface of the plunger 18 so that upon the return movement of the plunger 18 the agitator can slide therefrom and return to its operative position in front of the working face of the plunger 18.

In Figure 2 the plunger 18 is shown in its final end position at which the tobacco T is pressed. At this point it is further compressed by a second downwardly vertical reciprocating plunger or die 32 which is guided in the guides 33. A lever 34 reciprocates the plunger 32 since the forked end 35 thereof engages the roller 36 provided upon the plunger 32. Lever 34 is pivoted at 37 and the free end thereof is pivotally connected to the thrust rod 38 which is actuated from the drive shaft 30 by acam mechanism, not shown, in Figure 1, but similar to the mechanism shown in Figure 4 consisting of the cam roller 85 and the cam track 8'7.

The downward stroke of the second plunger 32 finally compresses the-tobacco filler to the filler form E. Thereupon the slide bottom 3 moves back to the position shown in Figure 3 and the vertical reciprocating plunger 32 thrusts the filler E onto the wrapping material 40 upon the roll table 39. The filler material will assume the form of the pocket 42 as a result of the table trough 41 -as shown particularly in Figure 1. With the aid of the table trough 41 the wrapping material 40 will form the wrapper for the cigar in the usual mariner.

The modification shown in Figures 4 and 5 will now be described. In this modification the filler tobacco is fed onto a horizontal shaking chute 44 which can be actuated in any desired manner. From the shaking chute 44 the tobacco is discharged onto the inclined surface 45. Due to the inclined surface the tobacco reaches the chamber 46 having the front wall 47 and the rear wall 48. The slide 49 constitutes the bottom of the chamber 46. The slide 49 is guided between the horizontal guides 50 and 51 and the slide 49 is provided with an upwardly extending bolt 52 which projects through a slot 53 provided in the upper slide guide 50. This bolt has connected to it spring 54 and the other end of the spring is attached to the machine frame-at 55. Spring 54 resiliently urges the slide 49 into the position shown in Figure 4 wherein the bolt 52 bears against the left end of the slot 53. In this position chamber 46 is closed at the bottom by the slide 49.

The plunger 18 is provided with an upwardly projecting pin 56 which is adapted to engage the slide 49 in the manner shown particularly in Figure 5 upon the return of the plunger 18 from its pressing position to its initial position. The end of the pin 56 enters into a notch 57 provided upon the under side of the slide 49 in such manner that the front edge of the slide is .in alignment with the vertical working face of the plunger 18 as the slide is carried along by the plunger. In the movement of the plunger 18 backwards it will carry the slide 49 along to the position shown in Figure 5 whereby the slide 49 is withdrawn from the bottom of the chamber 48 to thereby open the same.

The agitator 58 is pivotally mounted upon a supporting bolt 59 disposed in the chamber 46. The agitator 58 has fixedly connected therewith a bell crank lever. one arm of which is indicated at 60 and the other arm at 61. The arm 61 is connected to a spring 62 which in turn is secured to the machine frame at 63. The spring 62 constantly urges and holds the arm 60 against the abutment stud 64 provided at one end of the oscillating lever 65. Said lever 65 is pivoted to the bolt 66 upon the pedestal 67. A ratchet wheel 69 is secured to a shaft 68 which is joumalled in the pedestal 67. Ratchet wheel 69 is designed to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 4, and the ratchet teeth coact with a pin 70 upon the lever 65 so as to oscillate said lever and in turn agitate said agitator 58. The ratchet wheel 69 is driven by means of a chain or belt 71 from the shaft '72 which is joumalled in the bearing block 73 upon the under side of the slide guide 4. Gear 74 is mounted upon the shaft 72 and engages the gear teeth upon the cam disk 12. The jogging or agitating motion of the swinging lever 65 istransmitted to.the crank members 60 and 61 and thence to the agitator 58.

In Figure 4 thetwo end positions of the agitator 58 are shown in dotted lines. The strips of tobacco in the chamber 46 are aligned by means of the agitator 58. The bottom slide 49 has that portion which constitutes the closure for the chamber 46 curved as shown at "(5 so that the free ,end of the agitating flap 58 will throughout its oscillation move in close proximity to such curved portion.

After the plunger 18 has moved the tobacco and compressed the same, the tobacco is further plunger '76.

.that the filler tobacco can fall in front The operation of the device shown in Figures 6 compressed by a second vertical reciprocating plunger '76 guided in guides 7'7 and '78 and which is actuated by the lever 79. The forked end of the lever '79 engages a roller 81 uponv the Lever 79 is pivoted at 82 and the free end is pivotally connected to a thrust rod 83 actuated by the drive shaft 84 upon which the cam disk 12is mounted. Rod 83 carries a roller 85 which engages in a cam groove 8'7 upon the side of a cam disk which is mounted fixedly upon the shaft 84.

The operation of the device is as follows. Upon a forward movement of the plunger 18 the slide 49 is drawn by the spring 54 into the closed position as shown in Figure 4 wherein the curved portion 75 upon the slide 49 is positioned so as to close the opening in the bottom of the chamber 46. The filler tobacco introduced into the chamber 46 from the chute 44 is agitated by means of the agitator or jogger 58 during the duration of the pressing operation and also during the return movement of the plunger 18. It is only at the last moment that the pin 59 engages the slide 49 and carries it to the position shown in Figure 5, thereby opening the bottom of the chamber 46 so of the plunger 18 which is returned to its initial position. Due to the engagement of the pin 56 with the front edge of the slide in alignment with. the working face of the plunger 18, it is impossible for tobacco particles to hang upon the pin 56 or upon the upper edge of the plunger 18. Upon the succeeding working stroke of the plunger 18 the spring 54 will return the slide 49 to its closing position and the new charge of tobacco filler will in turn be agitated by the agitator 58. The operation is then repeated.

It is obvious that the plunger-1 8 may also be constantly connected with the slide 49. In such case the slide 49 must obviously be of a suitable length and" the closure of chamber 46 must take place upon a rectilinear line.

The modification shown in Figures 7 and 6 will now be described. In. this modification the chamber in which the tobacco is agitated is not stationary as in the modification shown in Fi ures 4 and 5, but is movable. tion the chamber 46 comprises the side wals 4'7. and 48' which are fixed to a slide 88. The slide 88 is supported in a guide 89 by means of the shank 88 provided upon the slide 88. A roller 90 is journalled in the shank 88' which coact-s with the forked end 91' upon the lever 91. The lever 91 is. pivoted upon the machine frame at 92 and is oscillated by means of the rod 93 which is connected tothe lever 91 and which in turn is reciprocated by a cam, not shown, mounted upon the drive shaft of the machine. Pivotally mounted upon the slide 88 is a bell crank lever 60', 61' which carries the agitating member 58'.

The bottom 94 of the vertically reciprocable chamber 46' is curved so that the free end of the agitator or jogger 58 will oscillate closely adjacent to said bottom. The side wall 4'7 and the bottom 94 of the chamber 46' are rigidly conneced or integral with the slide 88, but the side wall 48' is 'movably mounted upon the slide 88..

The side wall 48' has connected therewith an extension 95 which is reciprocatably mounted in the guide 96 provided upon slide 88. The spring 98 is connected to extension 95 at 9'7 and the other end of the spring 98 is connected to the slide 88 at 99. The spring 98 tends to retain the side wall 48' shown in Figure 6 wherein the chamber 46 is closed.

In this construcand 7 is as follows. The coarse selected tobacco is introduced into the chamber 46' through theinclined chute 45' during the compressing operation. In the chamber 46 the tobacco is jogged or agitated by theagitator 58. The agitator 58'- is oscillated by a ratchet wheel 69 through the medium of a swinging or oscillating lever 65 simi-v lar to the construction previously explained in regard to the modification shown in Figures 4 and 5.

When the slide 88 is lowered for the purpose of discharging the tobacco into the pressing chamber, the projection 95'- upon the extension 95 will move to a position behind the lug 18' provided upon the plunger 18. As is clearly seen in Figure 7, the chamber wall 48' will thereby be moved to the right. Since the arm 60 of the crank lever 60', 61' disengages from the abutment stud 64' of the lever 65' simultaneously with the downward movement of the slide 88, the agitator 58' will move to the position shown in Figure 7 as a result of the pull of the spring 62 and the limiting pin 100 provided-upon slide 88 against which the arm 61' abuts.

After the tobacco which has been agitated in the chamber 46 has been placed into the pressing chamber in this manner, the s ide 88 is again raised, whereupon the projection 95' will disengage from the plunger 18 and the channel wall lever 65 whereby the agitator 58' will be swung to the left. Then tobacco may again be introduced into the chamber 46' through the inclinedchute 45' during the time that the pressing opera- 7 tion is taking place in the pressing chamber. The steps of the process are then repeated.

It is obvious that the above description of the invention is merely illustrative and that various other forms of practicing the invention may be employed, but it is the intention to claim all such modifications as may fall within the spirit of the following claims.

I claimi- 1. The method of making cigar fillers comprising agitating the filler tobacco so as to substantially align the strips of tobacco then moving said aligned strips into a compression chamber and then compressing such aligned strips in a direction substantially perpendicular to their lengths into a cigar filler.

' 2. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a reciprocating die and independent means aligning the cut strips of tobacco disposed in front of sa d die with the lengths of said strips substantially perpendicular to the movement of said die.

3. An apparatusfor forming cgar fillers comprising a channel, a reciprocatingdie reciprocating in said channel, an agitating member disposed l'll in said channel for aligning the strps of tobacco in substantially parallel relation and said member being so mounted as to be moved out of said channel by said die. I

4. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, an agitating member also disposed in said channel, and means for osclllating'said agitating member.

mounted extending into said channel for aligning the strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation, a shaftupon which said agitating member is supported, a projection upon said shaft, and a cam member coacting with said projection for oscillating said agitating member.

6. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, an agitating member extending into said channel for aligning the strips of tobacco substantially parallel to one another, said agitating member being pivoted outside of said channel and said agitating member having a length sufficient so that when pivoted by the movement of said die said agitating member will have the .free end thereof resting upon the top surface of said die so as to return to its position upon the return movement of saiddi'e.

"I. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, a container for the filler tobacco disposed above said channel, means for agitating the tobacco in said container to align the strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation, and means for allowing said agitated tobacco to drop in front of said reciprocating die when said die is in its starting position.

8. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, a tobacco container disposed above said channel, means for vertically reciprocating said container, means in'said container for agitating said tobacco, and means for allowing the tobacco agitated in said container to fall in front of said die when said die is in its initial position.

9. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a reciprocating forming die in said channel, a tobacco container disposed above said channel having an open bottom, a slide for closing said bottom, and means connecting said slide with said reciprocating forming die for opening said bottom when said die is in the initial position.

10. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a reciprocating forming die in said channel, a fixed tobacco container located above said forming channel having an open bottom, a reciprocating slide for closing said bottom, means for normally maintaining said slide in closed position, and means upon said forming die and said slide for moving said slide away from the bottom of said container when said die is substantially in its initial position.

11. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a reciprocating forming die in said channel, a fixed tobacco container located above said forming channel having an open bottom, means in said container for jogging the tobacco, a reciprocating slide for closing said bottom, means for normally maintaining said slide in closed position, and means upon said forming die and said slide for moving said slide away from the bottom of said container when said die is substantially in its initial position.

12. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a reciprocating forming die in said channel, a tobacco container disposed above said channel, means for agitating the tobacco in said container, said container having an open bottom, a reciprocating slide closing said open bottom, resilient means urging said slide to closed position, and a pin located on said die adapted to engage said slide upon the return movement of said forming die and carry said slide against the action of said spring into open position so that tobacco may pass from said container to in front of said forming-die.

13. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, a container for tobacco disposed above said channel, an agitating member in said container for agitating said tobacco, a ratchet mechanism for agitating said agitating member, a slide closing the bottom of said container, and means for moving said slide to open said bottom when said forming die is in substantially its initial position, said slide having the portion closing the bottom of said container of curved cross section.

14. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a reciprocating forming die in said channel, and agitating means for aligning the strips of tobacco forming said filler in substantially parallel relation disposed directly above said channel.

15. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, a second forming die reciprocating transversely to said channel, and agitating means disposed adjacent said channel for aligning the tobacco strips in substantially parallel relation.

16. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a reciprocating 105 die in said channel, means for agitating the tobacco so as to align the strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation outside of said channel, means for moving said agitating means into said channel, and means for releasing said tobacco 110 into said channel in front of the operating face of said reciprocating die.

17. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a forming channel, a reciprocating forming die located in said channel, means for agitating the tobacco to align the strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation, and means for feeding the tobacco to said agitating means ineluding a shaking chute and an inclined guide surface.

18. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising means for forming cut strips of tobacco into a filler for a cigar and means acting before the operation of said first mentioned means for aligning the cut strips of tobacco with their lengths in substantially parallel relation.

19. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising means receiving a predetermined charge of cut tobacco strips for forming a cigar filler, means for aligning the strips in said charge with their lengths in substantially parallel relation and means for forming said aligned strips of tobacco of said charge into a cigar filler.

20. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising means for receiving a charge of cut strips of tobacco, means oscillating about a pivot for aligning the lengths of said out strips comprising said charge in substantially parallel relation and means for taking said aligned strips of tobacco and forming the same intoa cigar filler.

21. The method of making cigar fillers comprising separating a predetermined charge of out strips of tobacco, then aligning at a fixed location said out strips of tobacco with their lengths in substantially parallel relation and then forming said aligned strips of tobacco comprising said charge into a cigar filler.

22. The method of making cigar fillers comprising separating a predetermined charge of I cut strips of tobacco, then aligning at a fixed location said out strips of tobacco with their lengths in substantially parallel relation and then compressing said aligned strips of tobacco comprising said charge into a cigar filler.

23. The method of forming cigar fillers comprising separating a predetermined charge of out strips of tobacco, then agitating said charge at a fixed location so as to align said strips of tobacco with their lengths in substantially parallel relation and then forming the cigar filler from said strips of tobacco comprising said charge into a cigar filler. V

24. The method of making cigar fillers comprising aligning cut strips of tobacco with their lengths in substantially parallel relation at a fixed location, then compressing said out strips into a filler having a rectangular cross section and then rolling said filler within a wrapper.

25. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel and means for aligning cut strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation prior to the action of said forming die upon said strips.

26. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel and means disposed in said channel acting prior to the action of said forming die for aligning out strips of tobacco with their lengths in substantially parallel relation.

27. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a receptacle, means for compressing a cigar filler within said receptacle and means for aligning cut strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation cooperating with said compressing means.

28. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a receptacle for strips of out tobacco, means for forming said strips of tobacco into a filler disposed within said receptacle, a member for aligning the strips of cut tobacco in substantially parallel relation operating upon said strips of out tobacco prior to the formation thereof into a filler and means for oscillating said member.

29. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, a member pivotally mounted extending into said channel for aligning cut strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation and cam means for agitating said member.

30. An apparatus for forming cigar fillers comprising a channel, a forming die reciprocating in said channel, a member pivotally mounted extending into said channel for aligning cut strips of tobacco in substantially parallel relation and cam means for oscillating said member.

FRANZ HEINRZCH BENNO STELZER. 

